pak choi seed planting Purple Bok Choy Hybrid Seeds

pak choi seed planting Purple Bok Choy Hybrid SeedsPurple Bok Choy Green Stem Hybrid Vegetable Seeds Brassica rapa Chinensis Listing is for 1 packet of approximately 100 seeds This is a gorgeous and unique variety of bok choy aka pak choi, that has deep dark purple leaves with vibrant green stems. I like to harvest single leaves instead of the whole plant so it will continue growing and producing more leaves. The bees love the yellow blooms if you allow it to go to flower. Darker color veggies have

Purple Bok Choy Green Stem Hybrid Vegetable Seeds
Brassica rapa Chinensis
Listing is for 1 packet of approximately 100 seeds

This is a gorgeous and unique variety of bok choy aka pak choi, that has deep dark purple leaves with vibrant green stems. I like to harvest single leaves instead of the whole plant so it will continue growing and producing more leaves. The bees love the yellow blooms if you allow it to go to flower. Darker color veggies have higher heat tolerance and this one does last longer in the heat when compared to regular green bok choy. It also has a pretty decent cold tolerance and have survived without damage in my garden when temperatures hit 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I recommend to start seeds in trays but they also do well if direct sown. Seedlings are transplanted into the garden a month later. I only fertilize at planting time when I put a nice handful of blood meal in each planting hole. Blood meal is organic and high in nitrogen. The resulting leaves are lush and deep dark green in color. 

I have not experienced much pest issues if grown during the correct time of year which is fall thru spring. The only issue I have had was aphids start attacking them late in spring. I have found if I plant kale all over my garden, the aphids will feast on them instead and leave my Asian greens alone. So I use kale as a trap crop.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Does best getting 6 hours of sun a day. Grow in partial shade in hot climates.

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist

Fertilizer: Add some blood meal into the planting hole before transplanting or work some into the soil before direct sowing seeds. This one time application of fertilizer should be enough for the entire growing season. 

When & How To Sow Seeds: For a fall/winter crop: Direct sow seeds when you start planting your fall garden and continue throughout winter. Cover with frost protection if temperatures are expected to fall below 28F. For a spring crop: direct sow after all danger of frost has passed or can start in seed trays/cells 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sprinkle a few seeds over the soil surface, pat down, cover with 1/4 inch of soil, and water in. Can follow square foot gardening guidelines to space 9 plants per square foot, or plant each one 3 inches apart.

Germination: 3-10 days

Days To Maturity: 50 days after direct sowing the seed 

How & When To Harvest: Harvest once the bok choy plant sizes up and forms a rosette shaped head, but before the central flower stalk appears. Cut the bok choy off the main stem with some scissors.

Common Diseases: The most common disease is downy mildew. It thrives in cool, wet conditions and can spread rapidly, causing yellow spots on the leaves that eventually turn brown and die. Proper plant spacing to improve air flow helps. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped. 

Common Pests: Critters like rabbits love to munch on the plants. Protection from small animals might be required. The most common pest when growing bok choy is aphids. Use a strong spray of water to dislodge aphids from the leaves. For more severe infestations, spray with organic insecticidal soap or spinosad. 

Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? Yes, watch it here: https://youtu.be/H3IgM8ihJfk

Additional Tips/Information: N/A